Sunday, March 12, 2006

Tigers Rally To Even Series

Things weren't looking good last night with the game halfway over. St. Cloud State was up 2-0 and Colorado College just couldn't seem to get any good scoring chances. The Tigers seemed to be plagued by the sloppy play that ruined their chances on Friday night. This time, however, CC was able to turn it around, tying it up in the second period with two goals only 44 seconds apart. Brian Salcido started the scoring with a shot from the point that beat a blind Bobby Goepfert, who was being screened by Trevor Frischmon (Frischmon also assisted). 44 seconds later, Brett Sterling tied it up, slamming home a rebound that Goepfert left in the crease. Jimmy Kilpatrick and Derek Patrosso assisted. Rejuvenated, the Tigers headed into the third with the momentum and finally with some confidence. CC was able to convert again 11:28 into the third period, once again with Brett Sterling muscling in a rebound through the pads of Goepfert. Marty Sertich and Jimmy Kilpatrick set up the final goal.

The win moves CC back into comfortable position in the Pairwise Rankings, after they had been sliding dangerously close to the bubble. The Tigers are now tied for sixth with Cornell and Harvard. With a win tonight, CC would most likely clinch a tournament bid. Other favorites around the league took control on Saturday night, with Minnesota and Wisconsin punching their tickets to the X-Cel Center, and North Dakota, Denver, and CC tying up their series. North Dakota had a comfortably 4-1 victory over Minnesota State-Mankato. Denver, on the other hand, won 3-2 thanks to a Minnesota-Duluth game-tying goal being called off with only seconds left to play in the game due to a controversial high stick call. Nevertheless, the Pioneers are stuck at 15th in the Pairwise Rankings, and desperately need a win tonight to keep their season alive.

To win tonight, CC is going to have to keep up the pressure on the net. None of the goals last night were particularly pretty, but when it comes to hockey, it's quantity over quality. Both of Sterling's goals last night looked like if Goepfert had one more second, the puck would have been smothered. The Tigers need to keep someone in close to put on the pressure and to put home any pucks that are sitting around in the crease. CC will also have to keep playing solid defense. Matt Zaba has been playing very well in net (aside from a flukey one last night) and hopefully can continue. If a trip to the WCHA final five isn't enough incentive for the Tigers, they still aren't exactly guaranteed anything in the Pairwise at this point. While they are tied for 6th, a loss tonight would force CC to wait and hope for a tournament bid, rather than play for one.